In August 2023, the Association for Economic Research of Indigenous Peoples, American Society of Hispanic Economists, and the National Economic Association hosted the 7th annual Freedom and Justice Conference. A diverse group of researchers, practitioners, and economists from across the country convened at the Haskell Indian Nations University, a public tribal college in Lawrence, Kansas, to share data and practices concerning communities of color in the United States under the theme “By/For/With Our Communities.”
In the first conference session, Dr. Eric Anderson provided an overview of erasure of Indigenous culture and abuse of children within Indian boarding schools, most of which received federal funding between 1819 and 1969. Although the fates of many remain unknown, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of Native children were forcibly separated from their homes and families and were subjected to cultural genocide and abuse. Despite efforts to reconcile the profound mistreatment of American Indians over the years, poor employment outcomes persist, and the trend of downward economic mobility spans generations.
This article recaps key insights shared by conference presenters under themes of historical racism, data inclusivity, and culturally competent solutions. The author identifies generalizable takeaways relevant for policymakers, financial institutions, researchers, employers, and others who play a role in influencing the well-being, economic mobility, or media representation of individuals from marginalized groups.
Acknowledging historical racism, erasure, and trauma is essential to understanding their persistence in today's landscape
Native American history reflects a story of survival, perseverance, and revitalization in the face of forced displacement, persistent violence, and assimilation efforts that persist to this day. One illustrative case is the recent legal challenge to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978, a federal statute designed to encourage the practice of maintaining family, community, and cultural ties for Native children in cases of custody, foster care, and adoption. While the law was upheld by the Supreme Court in June 2023, the opposition to it signifies anti-tribal interests advocating for the removal of Native children from their communities.
Throughout the United States, Indigenous women tragically experience a high incidence of violence. The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women's movement is dedicated to seeking justice and protection for these women: in 2016, the US Department of Justice only documented 116 out of 5,712 reports of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls. The threat of violence and human trafficking compounds the already heavy burden of intergenerational trauma endured by these communities.
US cultural influence also impacts tribal structures. In a case study involving a tribe in Colorado, one researcher observed a preference for neocolonial financialization over investments in culture and language preservation within the community. The dwindling number of tribal members proficient in the native language and capable of passing down cultural narratives, which were once central to the community, was evident. Instead of distributing wealth among communal assets, it appeared to accumulate in the hands of a more patriarchal and oligarchic leadership, with resources directed toward external consultants and investments in external ventures.
These examples emphasize the significance of understanding and valuing cultural narratives of Indigenous communities. It underscores the need for policies and practices that avoid imposing American viewpoints, which can erode cultural foundations. Achieving this requires a deep understanding of the complex landscape formed by historical injustices and contemporary influences that continue to shape the lives of Indigenous people today.
Research and data must be inclusive of subpopulations to comprehend the diverse experiences and unique needs of marginalized groups
Many of the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples lack robust data to quantify the extent of these issues for the population. Without accessibility to comprehensive data, Native Americans must primarily rely on their own advocacy efforts and information sharing to shed light on these critical matters. Data sharing has the potential to generate public interest that can catalyze transformative changes in both market behavior and policy frameworks, rectifying historical injustices.
During the conference, numerous researchers emphasized the need for disaggregated data collection to better understand the disparate impacts experienced by subpopulations within marginalized communities. A researcher from the Native Nations Institute presented findings regarding the notably low labor force participation rates among American Indians and Alaska Natives. They pointed out that current data collection practices obstruct a comprehensive understanding of employment outcomes for individuals residing on or off tribal lands. Additionally, they highlighted the unfortunate loss of data accuracy, as many individuals with Indigenous backgrounds may identify as two or more races or Hispanic.
Economist Raffi García shared empirical evidence on how a social movement, by raising awareness of discrimination, yielded tangible results for a marginalized community. His findings indicated that local Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests had a positive impact on increasing credit access for Black business owners. The significant impact of the BLM movement on US society stemmed from its role in empowering allies to use videos and social media to document cases of police brutality against Black civilians. Consequently, BLM has influenced public awareness and the research landscape. The example emphasized in García's paper highlights the potential of data and evidence to drive positive social change for disadvantaged groups.
Culturally competent solutions are vital for effective remediation of racial economic disparities
Due to the long history of exploitation, it is crucial that solutions be developed by, for, and in collaboration with Indigenous communities. For researchers, this entails integrating research protocols into community practices rather than the reverse. Building respectful relationships with tribal members should precede any attempt to conduct studies despite this step being often overlooked or minimized in funders’ timelines.
During the conference, presenters showcased some noteworthy examples of culturally competent research. One such initiative is the Rising Voices Changing Coasts Hub, led by Haskell University and funded by the National Science Foundation. This project employs convergent research to enhance our understanding of the impact of climate change on Indigenous coastal populations. Beyond generating valuable data, the project's framework fosters lasting relationships between scientists and Indigenous communities, creates research opportunities for Indigenous students, and strengthens the capacity and networking of tribal colleges and universities for future collaborations.
Economist Valentina Dimitrova-Grajzl presented her research findings on Native Community Development Financial Institutions (NCDFI), which are primarily dedicated to serving Indigenous communities with the goals of financial inclusion and delivering culturally informed services. Her research revealed that NCDFIs that use alternative soft indicators of creditworthiness and provide loan products and services responsive to the community's specific needs can reduce delinquency and improve credit risk scores.
Conclusion
The historical exploitation of Native Americans exerts a significant influence on contemporary economic and social outcomes. It continues to shape the treatment of Indigenous peoples within legal systems, the labor market, financial institutions, and their overall perception by society. The collection and representation of data and evidence, infused with cultural competence, hold the potential to guide practitioners in the rectification of these inequalities.
Qualitative narratives prove indispensable for fostering a comprehensive understanding of the human impact of these issues on Indigenous communities. They provide essential context for interpreting data and devising effective strategies to serve Native communities. Quantitative data serves as a vital supplement, offering a broader audience a sense of the extent of these challenges and enhancing the replicability of on-the-ground solutions within these communities.
Economists and other researchers occupy pivotal roles in this landscape. In an era characterized by social media platforms and translational researchers, their fieldwork can attract the necessary attention and yield evidence-based recommendations for enhancing the well-being of Indigenous people across the United States.
This imperative extends beyond Native communities to other marginalized communities, such as people with disabilities, those who are neurodivergent, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Frequently, the needs of these groups remain obscured and unmet unless data are systematically gathered and rigorously analyzed to illuminate key issues. To catalyze meaningful change and initiate the rectification of deeply entrenched injustices against these communities, it is essential that these concerns receive heightened attention from a diverse array of stakeholders. This process must commence with the collection of data that accurately reflects these populations while maintaining a historical and culturally informed lens throughout the research process.